DELAWARE STATE TO PREVENT STUDENT BULLYING
WILLIAMS SAYS PENNSYLVANIA SHOULD BE NEXT

HARRISBURG, May 1 – State Sen. Connie Williams said the news that the state of Delaware is poised to adopt a law to prevent student bullying should be a wake-up call to Pennsylvania on the critical need for these types of policies in schools.

"For several legislative sessions now, I have been talking about the need for school districts to have policies in place to educate students about the problems associated with student bullying and to prevent bullying and intimidation," Williams said. "Now the state of Delaware is poised to sign into law legislation that would establish bullying-prevention programs and prohibit bullying of all types.

"I hope that my colleagues see the timeliness of enacting a similar law in Pennsylvania. This is such an important issue when it comes to student safety and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to obtain a solid education, without distraction, in a safe place."

Williams received an overwhelming response from parents and students from across the Commonwealth when she began a dialogue in Harrisburg on the issue. The people who called, wrote and e-mailed the Senator all wanted one thing – for student bullying and intimidation to stop in their school.

In March the Senate passed legislation (SB 71) that includes language offered by Williams in the 2005-06 Legislative Session. It would amend Pennsylvania's Public School Code to include a new section on bullying and student intimidation. School districts would be required to develop a comprehensive bullying and student intimidation prevention plan. While some school districts have programs in place to address bullying, not all do. Under the bill, policies must include a student-awareness component.

The language draws upon the current school code and state regulations for education, requiring public school districts to draft and adopt anti-bullying and anti-intimidation policies, including bullying and intimidation that takes place on the Internet. Schools will be required to regularly revisit the policies every three years to ensure that they are up-to-date and meet the needs of the student population. Under the school code, the Department of Education already has the authority to withhold funds from any Commonwealth appropriation to a school district that fails to file required reports or to abide by rules that relate to student health and safety.

Williams said she would continue to advocate for passage of this legislation.

"There are children who desperately need these policies in place to feel safe when they go to school," Williams said. "There is no time to waste. Children who are bullied often will stay home from school complaining of frequent illnesses, find ways to skip school and in some extreme bullying cases, have been known to take their own lives. All of this is preventable with a solid school district policy and the concerted efforts of students, teachers, the administration and parents."

Williams has also introduced legislation (SB 22) this session to address student bullying. The language of Williams' legislation is found in Senate Bill 71.